B-PC Board of Education seats up in next week's election

Tuesday

Apr 2, 2013 at 6:00 AM

By Lainie SteelmanMcDonough County Voice

Three seats on the Bushnell-Prairie City Board of Education are up for re-election on Tuesday, April 9.

Membership on the board consists of four members from the congressional township that has at least 75 percent of but not more than 90 percent of the population, and three members from the other outlying congressional townships of the school district.

In the larger Bushnell-Prairie City township, one seat is open. Incumbent board member Daniel Mahr will face off against Jeff Pendarvis and Craig F. Pierce.

In the outlying congressional townships, two seats are open. Board President Steve Hess will attempt to keep his seat and is running alongside Jerri Walters and Jonathan Miller. Walter previously served six years on the board on a Bushnell-Prairie City township seat, but resigned from her spot in December following her move from the Bushnell-Prairie City township to an outlying township.

Craig F. Pierce did not respond for this article as of press time Monday.

Jeff Pendarvis

Why are you running for a seat on the school board?

I decided to run for the school board when I realized that the community wanted a voice. I want to represent the voice of the community for the school board. It is important work to do, and I want to do my part in helping ensure what is best for the B-PC School District.

What do you feel are the most important issues the school district is facing?

The most important issue is the budget reduction from the state of Illinois. The state budget issues will force a lot of hardships to our district. A lot of hard choices will have to be made. I want to be part of that decision-making process. Technology in the classroom will be another issue. How we use current and future technology to educate students more efficiently while keeping costs controlled will be an ongoing challenge.

Jonathan Miller

Why are you running for a seat on the school board?

I live in a rural home west of Bushnell with our three children, Dalton (14), J.C. (11) and Jillian (7). They all attend B-PC schools. which I have a vested interest in assuring they thrive. Education is a high priority of mine and community structure and support is needed to make education excel. I believe that rural schools have the best schools. I have a diverse background that covers management, teaching, community service, technology and fiscal planning. I believe I can help the board of education make decisions to keep and improve our children's quality of education. Education is what shapes America's future. There are going to be a lot of tough decisions coming that the board of education will make that will affect that future and have a lasting affect on the B-PC School District. Instead of being one of the many voices trying to help decide, I thought I'd step up and serve my community as this community has done a lot for me and my family lately.

What do you feel are the most important issues the school district is facing?

The budget is the most important currently in most school districts. We will get through this current financial disarray. We will find the best solutions and implement them. We have to. Right now, the schools' biggest strength is in its people and community. The community that B-PC supports is made up of well-educated, motivated, caring and involved citizens. You can't buy that.

Communication is also important and a two-way street. I believe I can help the school board do better in this area. It can be difficult for a non-paid board to be constantly accessible to a district and its registered voters. I will work to uphold my part. Some are content to know that the school board is working on behalf of their kids. Other desire more frequent and more involved input to issues and policies. Others feel that the time and effort spent running for and being on the board is the best way to say thank you for a great school and community. I'm one of those.

My vision for B-PC schools is where every child and young person is inspired to develop a lifelong love of learning; where every student is progressing and achieving; and where each one is being prepared by the education system to make a success of their life.

Steve Hess (Incumbent)

Years served: 13

Why are you running for a seat on the school board?

I feel that I have a vested interest in the school district with a daughter in seventh grade. I also have grandchildren in the district who still too young for school. With the experience I have, I understand a lot of the peripherals involved in the budgeting process and the way the school runs. I have a pretty good grasp about everything that's involved. I know the staff we have and they are so dedicated, and the administrators too. We have a board that works really well together for the good of the students.

What do you feel are the most important issues the school district is facing?

Budget and technology. The constraints that the state is putting on us with all the cutbacks is putting a strain on us, as with all school districts that rely on state funds. I see how important technology is in the worked we live in today, I have a real strong desire to equip our kids to thrive in a world of technology and that means we have to teach it to them. With the budget constraints we're under, to be able to afford the technology tools we need for the district are going to be difficult to come by.

Dan Mahr (Incumbent)

Years served: 4

Why are you running for a seat on the school board?

To serve the students and the community the best I can, and to help the students along the best I can. To try to serve better serve the future of the kids.

What do you feel are the most important issues the school district is facing?

Obviously the financial issue are important, I feel. I think with the state's financial issues, it's becoming an issue with school districts our size.

Jerri Walters

Why are you running for a seat on the school board?

I feel like I have a lot to offer the district, the kids. I feel like everyone should do their civiv dry at some point in their lives, I feel like this is my opportunity because I feel like I'm suited for it. I find it very interesting, I have resources that are available to help, me, I'm not afraid to ask questions. I want to make sure we're doing everything that we can as a whole for the school district, and that includes the community and everything surrounding it. Not just the school. Everyone has to be in this together.

What do you feel are the most important issues the school district is facing?

The biggest issue is the budget, because everything is linked to the budget.

With Common Core rapidly approaching, there's going to be more of an emphasizes on test scores and that will play more of a role into what we do as a school board. People in the community forget how important those things are with the budget and personnel. It's all connected.

Another huge issue are the state mandates that are always increasing. It's unreal. It requires a great deal of the school board's time, just keeping up with those changes.

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